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Topic Review
EV-Mediated Intercellular Interactions in Stem Cell and Plasticity
In multicellular organisms, interactions between cells and intercellular communications form the very basis of the organism’s survival, the functioning of its systems, the maintenance of homeostasis and adequate response to the environment. The accumulated experimental data point to the particular importance of intercellular communications in determining the fate of cells, as well as their differentiation and plasticity. For a long time, it was believed that the properties and behavior of cells were primarily governed by the interactions of secreted or membrane-bound ligands with corresponding receptors, as well as direct intercellular adhesion contacts. 
  • 596
  • 07 Apr 2023
Topic Review
Autoimmunity and Mitochondria
Although previously restricted to a limited number of medical conditions, there is a growing appreciation that ‘autoimmune’ (or immune-mediated) processes are important aspects of a wide array of diverse medical conditions, including cancers, neurodegenerative diseases and psychiatric disorders. All of these classes of medical conditions are associated with alterations in mitochondrial function across an array of diverse cell types. Accumulating data indicate the presence of the mitochondrial melatonergic pathway in possibly all body cells, with important consequences for pathways crucial in driving CD8+ T cell and B-cell ‘autoimmune’-linked processes. Melatonin suppression coupled with the upregulation of oxidative stress suppress PTEN-induced kinase 1 (PINK1)/parkin-driven mitophagy, raising the levels of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-1, which underpins the chemoattraction of CD8+ T cells and the activation of antibody-producing B-cells. Many factors and processes closely associated with autoimmunity, including gut microbiome/permeability, circadian rhythms, aging, the aryl hydrocarbon receptor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its receptor tyrosine receptor kinase B (TrkB) all interact with the mitochondrial melatonergic pathway. A number of future research directions and novel treatment implications are indicated for this wide collection of poorly conceptualized and treated medical presentations.
  • 595
  • 09 May 2023
Topic Review
Role of Inflammation in Retinal Degeneration
Retinal neurodegeneration is predominantly reported as the apoptosis or impaired function of the photoreceptors. Retinal degeneration is a major causative factor of irreversible vision loss leading to blindness. Degenerative retinal diseases are reported as heterogeneous and multiple etiological groups of disorders that hamper the vision of human beings, resulting in compromised quality of life. Retinitis pigmentosa (RP), age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy (DR), Stargardt macular dystrophy (STGD), and Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) are some examples of degenerative retinal diseases. Inflammation is the protective response of the immune system to a harmful stimulus and this stimulus could be in the form of toxic metabolites/chemicals, pathogens, damaged cells, physical, traumatic, ischemic, or other challenges. Inflammatory events are the most likely causes of progressive retinal degenerative conditions.
  • 593
  • 19 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Beta-Cell Dysfunction Induced by Tacrolimus
The combination of insulin resistance and β-cells dysfunction leads to the onset of type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This process can last for decades, as β-cells are able to compensate the demand for insulin and maintain normoglycemia. Understanding the adaptive capacity of β-cells during this process and the causes of its failure is essential to the limit onset of diabetes.
  • 592
  • 11 Jan 2023
Topic Review
miR-202 as a Novel Gastrointestinal Tract Tumor Suppressor
Numerous clinical studies have addressed the role of miR-202 in gastrointestinal tract tumors (GIT), including oral, esophageal, gastric, pancreatic, hepatocellular, and colorectal cancers, and documented a lower expression of miR-202 in tumor tissues and a tumor suppressive function of miR-202 overexpression on GIT cancer progression. In oral cancer cell lines, overexpression of miR-202 downregulated the protein expression level of the transcription factor Sp1, which, in turn, reduced cancer cell migration and invasion. Inhibition of miR-202, however, markedly enhanced oral cancer progression, indicating a suppressor function of miR-202 in this tumor type. A tumor suppressive function for miR-202 has also been proposed by Meng and colleagues in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.
  • 591
  • 24 Apr 2023
Topic Review
Evolution of Pompe Disease Therapy
Pompe disease, also known as glycogen storage disease type II, is caused by the lack or deficiency of a single enzyme, lysosomal acid alpha-glucosidase, leading to severe cardiac and skeletal muscle myopathy due to progressive accumulation of glycogen. The discovery that acid alpha-glucosidase resides in the lysosome gave rise to the concept of lysosomal storage diseases, and Pompe disease became the first among many monogenic diseases caused by loss of lysosomal enzyme activities. 
  • 590
  • 29 Sep 2022
Topic Review
Pathophysiology of Childhood-Onset Myasthenia
Myasthenia gravis (MG) is understood to be a neuromuscular disorder caused by an immune disturbance at the neuromuscular junction, which results in symptoms such as muscle weakness and fatigue.
  • 590
  • 24 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Stem Cells as Therapeutics for Ischaemic Stroke
Stroke remains one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide. Current reperfusion treatments for ischaemic stroke are limited due to their narrow therapeutic window in rescuing ischaemic penumbra. Stem cell therapy offers a promising alternative. As a regenerative medicine, stem cells offer a wider range of treatment strategies, including long-term intervention for chronic patients, through the reparation and replacement of injured cells via mechanisms of differentiation and proliferation.
  • 587
  • 16 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas and Their Microenvironment
Lymphomas are characteristic tumors surrounded by an inflammatory microenvironment. The cells of the microenvironment are essential for the growth and survival of neoplastic cells and are recruited through the effect of cytokines/chemokines. Lymphomas include heterogeneous groups of neoplasms infiltrating various lymphoid structures which may arise from B lymphocytes, T lymphocytes, and natural killer (NK) cells at various stages of their differentiation state. Non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHLs) include heterogeneous groups of neoplasms infiltrating various lymphoid structures which may arise from B lymphocytes, T lymphocytes, and natural killer (NK) cells at various stages of their differentiation state and are characterized by a great tendency to disseminate towards extra-nodal locations.
  • 586
  • 03 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Mesenchymal Stroma/Stem Cells and Cancer
Human Mesenchymal stroma/stem cells (MSC) are heterogenous populations of multipotent stem cells that can be obtained from different origins, and among the most commonly studied are the bone marrow, adipose tissue, umbilical cord, Wharton’s jelly, dental pulp, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The international society for cell and gene therapy (ISCT) defined MSC as being able to adhere to plastic, positively express MSC markers (CD73, CD105, and CD90), negatively express hematopoietic markers (CD14, CD45, CD34, CD19, and HLA-DR), and have the ability to differentiate into adipogenic, chondrogenic, and osteogenic lineages . ISCGT also suggested that the termed mesenchymal stromal cells be used instead of mesenchymal stem cells for any fibroblast-like plastic-adherent cells, regardless of the tissue from which they are isolated, while keeping the same acronym “MSCs”.
  • 577
  • 18 Jan 2023
Topic Review
MHDIs-Mediated Amelioration of Aβ-Induced Synaptic Dysfunction
Medicinal herbs and their derived ingredients (MHDIs) have multitarget and multichannel properties, engendering exceptional AD treatment outcomes. In the brain, the mammalian target of rapamycin plays a major role in dendritic growth and synaptic plasticity development. Synaptic activity is essential in synaptic plasticity and memory formation, and maintenance of synaptic activity effectively protects against Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathogenesis. The maintenance of normal synaptic plasticity requires particular proteins, including immediate early genes (IEG) and activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein (Arc), which are crucial for long-term memory formation and consolidation. Synaptic plasticity disruption followed by synapse loss caused by Aβ oligomers in the hippocampal CA1 subregion occurs in the early stages of AD, and the hippocampal CA1 subregion is more vulnerable to AD-related neuronal damage than are the other subregions. In addition, synapse loss and dendritic spine abnormalities are closely associated with cognitive decline. Herein, the focus is
  • 576
  • 14 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Tacrolimus for Enhancing Axonal Regeneration
Peripheral nerve injuries have far-reaching implications for individuals and society, leading to functional impairments, prolonged rehabilitation, and substantial socioeconomic burdens. Tacrolimus, a potent immunosuppressive drug known for its neuroregenerative properties, has emerged in experimental studies as a promising candidate to accelerate nerve fiber regeneration. 
  • 576
  • 30 Aug 2023
Topic Review
Role of the Antioxidants in Prostate Pathology
Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most common type of tumor worldwide and is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related mortality among men. Many experimental and clinical data have indicated the efficacy of antioxidants in preventing this form of cancer. Antioxidants play an important role in the body as they prevent damage from free radicals, molecules that attack healthy cells and can contribute to cancer risk.
  • 576
  • 25 May 2023
Topic Review
Hormone Levels and Mental Health Conditions
Estrogens and progesterone have numerous effects, including promoting neuroplasticity, influencing both structural and functional changes, and being associated with emotional processing, mood and cognitive disorders. Mental health conditions, however, are complex and can be influenced by various factors, such as genetics, infections, and hormonal disorders.
  • 574
  • 20 Sep 2023
Topic Review
Klotho and Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and acute kidney injury (AKI) are public health problems, and their prevalence rates have increased with the aging of the population. They are associated with the presence of comorbidities, in particular diabetes mellitus and hypertension, resulting in a high financial burden for the health system. Studies have indicated Klotho as a promising therapeutic approach for these conditions. Klotho reduces inflammation, oxidative stress and fibrosis and counter-regulates the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. In CKD and AKI, Klotho expression is downregulated from early stages and correlates with disease progression. Therefore, the restoration of its levels, through exogenous or endogenous pathways, has renoprotective effects. An important strategy for administering Klotho is through mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs).
  • 572
  • 19 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Smart Delivery Systems Responsive to Cathepsin B Activity
Cathepsin B is a lysosomal cysteine protease, contributing to vital cellular homeostatic processes including protein turnover, macroautophagy of damaged organelles, antigen presentation, and in the extracellular space, it takes part in tissue remodeling, prohormone processing, and activation. However, aberrant overexpression of cathepsin B and its enzymatic activity is associated with different pathological conditions, including cancer. Cathepsin B overexpression in tumor tissues makes this enzyme an important target for smart delivery systems, responsive to the activity of this enzyme. The generation of technologies which therapeutic effect is activated as a result of cathepsin B cleavage provides an opportunity for tumor-targeted therapy and controlled drug release.
  • 569
  • 14 Jul 2023
Topic Review
Therapeutic Immune Induction against Cancers
Cancer immunotherapy, a promising and widely applied mode of oncotherapy, makes use of immune stimulants and modulators to overcome the immune dysregulation present in cancer, and leverage the host’s immune capacity to eliminate tumors.
  • 565
  • 29 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Neurogenesis in Stroke
Harmonic mechanisms orchestrate neurogenesis in the healthy brain within specific neurogenic niches, which generate neurons from neural stem cells as a homeostatic mechanism. These newly generated neurons integrate into existing neuronal circuits to participate in different brain tasks. Despite the mechanisms that protect the mammalian brain, this organ is susceptible to many different types of damage that result in the loss of neuronal tissue and therefore in alterations in the functionality of the affected regions. Nevertheless, the mammalian brain has developed mechanisms to respond to these injuries, potentiating its capacity to generate new neurons from neural stem cells and altering the homeostatic processes that occur in neurogenic niches. These alterations may lead to the generation of new neurons within the damaged brain regions. Notwithstanding, the activation of these repair mechanisms, regeneration of neuronal tissue within brain injuries does not naturally occur.
  • 565
  • 11 Apr 2023
Topic Review
MiRNAs Predicting Response to Oesophageal Cancer Treatment
Oesophageal cancer (OC) is the ninth most common cancer worldwide. Patients receive neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) as standard of care, but less than 20% of patients with oesophageal adenocarcinoma (OAC) or a third of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients, obtain a clinically meaningful response. Developing a method of determining a patient’s response to NAT before treatment will allow rational treatment decisions to be made, thus improving patient outcome and quality of life. MicroRNAs are valuable biomarkers of response to NAT in OC. Research is needed to understand the effects different types of chemotherapy and chemoradiotherapy have on the predictive value of microRNAs; studies also require greater standardization in how response is defined. 
  • 563
  • 07 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Carrier-Mediated Delivery of Low-Molecular-Weight N-Containing Drugs
While it is true that pharmacotherapy has achieved desired health outcomes, significant unmet medical needs persist in the field of central nervous system (CNS) drugs, particularly for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, as well as ocular diseases such as diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration. Drugs cannot enter the brain from the bloodstream due to the presence of the blood–brain barrier (BBB). Similarly, they cannot enter the eyes from the bloodstream due to the blood–retina barrier (BRB), which is composed of the endothelium or the epithelium. Thus, innovative drug delivery systems that can overcome these barriers based on efflux transporters, hydrophobic lipid bilayer membranes, and tight junctions should be developed using patient-friendly techniques distinct from craniotomy procedures or intravitreal injections. Brain-penetrating CNS drugs and antihistamine drugs commonly share N-containing groups. These findings suggest that certain types of cation transporters are involved in their transportation across the cell membrane.
  • 563
  • 27 Oct 2023
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